Fashion Passion, Idolizing Didier Drogba & Friendship with Hamilton

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This Sports Conversation constitutes an innovative program in which prominent figures from athletics and show business join host Kelly Somers for frank and comprehensive discussions about football.

The program examines mental approach and motivation, covering pivotal experiences, professional achievements and personal reflections. This series uncovers the person beyond the player.

Reece James began practicing with the London club at six years old and - after developing through the youth system and into the first team - is now club captain.

The defender introduced himself to Chelsea supporters in style, netting on his debut in a comprehensive win over the opposition in September 2019.

Currently twenty-five, his professional achievements so far include earning his international bow against Wales in 2020, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

However, things have not always gone smoothly, with multiple fitness issues affecting him over the past four seasons.

The athlete spoke with Kelly Somers to discuss his career highs, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton.

The interviewer: Initial inquiry: identity, where you're from, and what's your coffee order?

The athlete: The name is Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect more people will know that area. My beverage is a flat white.

Kelly: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, I began with, such as, vanilla lattes and similar drinks.

Kelly: Let's start by discussing soccer. What does football mean to you?

Reece: I mean, from a little kid, it was practically my entire focus in education. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of participating? Is this difficult to answer because it represented a significant aspect of your childhood and growing up?

Reece: Not particularly, simply due to my memory is so bad. My earliest memory was likely, unsure, going to watch my sibling play. He's my senior by two years than me, and he also participated as well.

The host: It was significant in your household, correct, because your father was deeply engaged? He's a football coach too, isn't he? Share with me a bit about that.

Reece: So there was three of us growing up. We were completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we frequently practiced a lot with him.

The presenter: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the four years old, you were outside and he was doing drills with you in the back garden.

Reece: Yeah, I recall - the training started young. Thankfully, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and national team attacker his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your first ever team that you represented as a child, what was it called, and what can you remember?

Reece: I don't remember much, frankly. That was the local team in the area. I think I was there for about a year. It was from there that I was scouted for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a defender at initially, were you? Talk to me about your role evolution and how that changed...

Reece: I started off as a forward, and then eventually transitioned to wide positions, left side, right side, and eventually to central positions, and then eventually at defensive role, and I disliked it at the time.

The presenter: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Because I consistently desired to play midfield. You didn't touch the ball as frequently but eventually everything fell into place and I've been a right-back since.

Kelly: You said you started as an attacker - who served as your idol?

Reece: My idol was [Didier] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he was the athlete I admired.

The host: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your professional life - a moment that has influenced your development and the player you have become?

The defender: I'd likely identify the loan spell. Transitioning between academy and first-team football is most challenging and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

The presenter: You're talking about Wigan, of course. What made did Wigan become the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so well?

Reece: The first thing is that I played consistently, which helps. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my friends and family and had to grow up quickly. Participating on a consistent basis assisted a lot.

The interviewer: Which individual exerted the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [the experienced Brazilian] the veteran. He is nearly old enough to be my father and has competed at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the moment he arrived and continues to, presently he is departed [after leaving the club in that year].

Kelly: How specifically would he assist you?

James: It was little messages off the pitch. During matches, he occasionally see things that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

The presenter: It must have been nice to meet him this summer [at the Club World Cup]?

The defender: It was great to reconnect with him. I'm happy that his team did well in the competition [they lost in the penultimate round to eventual winners his team]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: If you could return and replay one match in your career, what would you choose?

Reece: Assuming the result is going to be the identical - I'd select the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Besides winning, what was so special about the occasion